Commissioners camping out

December 6, 2010

FAIRMONT - "Need knows no season" is the phrase touted by the Salvation Army, and in recent years that need has been growing.

With this in mind, Martin County commissioners are preparing to set up another Kamp For Kids Thursday through Saturday at the Salvation Army parking lot.

"We are really encouraging people to come out, because there is a big need this time of year," said commissioner chairman Dan Schmidtke. "Every nickel and dime is needed."

Article Photos

Martin County Commissioners, left to right, Steve Donnelly, Dan Schmidtke and Gerald Boler warm themselves around the campfire during the 2009 Kamp For Kids at the Salvation Army in Fairmont. The Commissioners will be camping out again this year from Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning.

People are asked to drop off nonperishable food, toiletries, new toys or cash at the camp site. The event kicks off noon Thursday and will pack up at noon Saturday. Red bags will be delivered to residents in Martin County within the next week to fill with donated items. These red bags can also be left out for collection Saturday morning.

"I'd like to see the businesses get involved more," Schmidtke said. "We have the city/county challenge, but it used to be Hy-Vee challenged County Marker, dentists would challenge other dentists, doctors, lawyers would challenge each other. And it's not just for Fairmont businesses, this covers the whole county."

For donations, the Salvation Army requests nonperishable foods in undamaged containers. Home-canned foods, opened packages or very old products cannot be distributed by the food shelf.

Other organizations involved with Kamp For Kids include the Sentinel and Photo Press, and KSUM/KFMC. Fairmont RV is donating the trailer for the commissioners during the campout, while Mike Kimmet is providing firewood for the campfire.

"Anyone who wants to stop by and chat, we welcome it," Schmidtke said. "Anything that you can give, it's all very much needed."